American Precision Vibrator Company v. National Air Vibrator Company

Appellee, National Air Vibrator Company ("National"), brought this suit for damages and injunctive relief against appellants Jim Guy and Shirley Breitenstein, former employees, who had earlier resigned and formed American Precision Vibrator Company ("American"), a competitor in the industrial vibrator market. Appellee claims that appellants appropriated trade secrets and confidential information in violation of their fiduciary duty owed to appellee. Trial was to a jury, which found for appellant Breitenstein and against appellant Guy on the issue of appropriation and awarded $400,000 in actual damages and $500,000 in punitive damages against appellants Guy and American.